Christopher Paolini’s Inheritance Cycle has been criticized as a Star Trek-politics rip-off. Stephen King’s Dark Tower series has been dubbed ‘sheer absurdity’, and of course we know how that Mallory woman fought fang and talon to have the Harry Potter books removed from libraries because of their devilry, and she’s snot (typo intended) alone in that mindset. I like to call this bandwagon allergy. While I respect every reader’s right to their little red wagon of opinion, it’s rather obvious when people are just being snobs.
Readers are far more intelligent than their couch potato counterparts, yes, but that doesn’t mean we don’t read for pleasure and delight. Twilight delivers both (At least, when the reader is receptive). And so it’s up there in the top ten of the NYT Bestsellers. How many times will it have to be said? A good story, not necessarily
great writing do a bestseller make.
With the film's imminent release, we’ll want to have our fondness for Twilight defended in our minds, a defense ready to spout at a moment’s provocation (But do not go on a hissy fit or pick fights just because the cashier at the bookstore/cinema has a disdainful eyebrow lift. It may be a facial tick).
First off,
Twilight is not really YA, methinks. Sure, it’s there in Reluctant Young Readers lists, teen picks, etc., but what it foremost is, is a romance. It’s a love story. Many, many critics—or dare I say all of them—miss or dismiss this fact. This is why it ‘reads like fan fiction’. Because Stephenie Meyer likes her romance and went all out, the way we do with our favorite characters in fanfic archives! I blame the books’ beautiful covers. Should have depicted Edward and Bella instead and have done with it. LOL. The symbolisms hint of depths, which, though not necessarily deterring in their absence, are nonetheless absent.
The point of the books is Bella getting to stay with Edward. No large-scale battles or ramifications or realizations. Just happily ever after, his and hers. There are no underlying messages. I didn't look for or see any. For underlying messages, I read Ursula K. Le Guin, Katherine Paterson, Toni Morrison, to name a few.
IMO, Meyer just wrote a romance. And there's nothing wrong with that. I love this part of
Cat Rambo's review:
"Okay. Lemme just start with the soul mate thing, because I hate this idea so much. Because what it does is give people the idea that there is this one true love thing that happens and everything is magically swell because you and your partner are twue woves. While in reality relationships are work. They take work and patience and humor and cooperation and a willingness on both sides to accept the various farts and burps and personal quirks the other has. And that willingness and hard work seems more meaningful than being insta-partnered with someone because they’re the metaphorical key to your figurative lock." Now, *nodding and giggling* the only thing I can say to this is most other romance authors since the Regency era and even in the Regency romance genre are already too aware and very educative about this. The werewolves' imprinting and Bella and Edward's tenacity in their twue wove is actually refreshing. ^_^
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lion_lamb
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Susan Carpenter of the Los Angeles Times caught up with "Twilight" author Stephenie Meyer on the set of a music video for Jack's Mannequin, the Orange County band. Stephenie has had a rough few weeks as her fans know, but she was all smiles by the sea.
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chasethestars
by Suzanne Collins. I was so obsessed with this book I had to take it with me out to dinner and hide it under the edge of the table so I wouldn't have to stop reading. The story kept me up for several nights in a row, because even after I was finished, I just lay in bed wide awake thinking about it. I've been recommending it to total strangers in Target. And now to everyone who reads my website. The Hunger Games is amazing.